Mike Amesbury

Last updated

Mike Amesbury
MP
Official portrait of Mike Amesbury MP crop 2, 2024.jpg
Official portrait, 2024
Member of Parliament
for Runcorn and Helsby
Weaver Vale (2017–2024)
Incumbent
Assumed office
8 June 2017
Website Official website

Michael Lee Amesbury (born 7 May 1969) is a British politician serving as Member of Parliament (MP) for Runcorn and Helsby, previously Weaver Vale, since 2017. A member of the Labour Party, he has been suspended pending a police investigation since October 2024 and has subsequently been charged with common assault.

Contents

Born in Manchester and raised in West Yorkshire, Amesbury began working as a careers adviser and later became a Labour Party officer. He has been a political adviser to Greater Manchester politicians including Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham.

Amesbury served as a Member of Manchester City Council from 2006 to 2017 and an Executive Member from 2008 to 2012. He held several shadow ministerial portfolios in Parliament between 2018 and 2024, including Employment, Housing, and Local Government.

Early life and education

Michael Lee Amesbury was born on 7 May 1969 in Wythenshawe, Manchester. [1] He moved to Castleford in West Yorkshire at a young age, where he was educated at Castleford High School. He joined the Labour Party in the late 1980s, having been politicised by the miners' strikes. [2]

Amesbury studied at Ilkley College, where he was awarded Bachelor of Arts degree in Community Studies from Bradford University in 1993. He was president of the Ilkley College students' union from 1993 to 1994, and founded its Labour Party society. In 1996, he received a Postgraduate Diploma in Careers Guidance from the University of Central England in Birmingham. [3]

Early career

Amesbury worked as a careers advisor in Birmingham after receiving his postgraduate degree. [2] He became an officer for the North West Labour Party from 1999 until 2003, when returned to careers advice as a manager at Connexions.

He returned to North West Labour as an events and fundraising manager in 2013, having previously worked as a project manager at The Manchester College. He was a policy adviser at Tameside Council from 2014 until 2015, when he became an adviser to Tameside Member of Parliament (MP) Angela Rayner. He worked for Andy Burnham from 2016 to 2017, supporting his work as an MP and later his Greater Manchester mayoral campaign.

Amesbury was first elected to Manchester City Council in 2006, defeating the incumbent Liberal Democrat councillor in Fallowfield. [4] He served as the Council's Executive Member for Culture and Leisure from 2008 to 2012. [5] He was a member of Labour's National Policy Forum from 2010 to 2015. He resigned as a councillor following his election to Parliament in 2017. [6]

Parliamentary career

First term (2017–2019)

Amesbury was elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Weaver Vale at the 2017 general election. [7] He defeated the incumbent Conservative MP, Graham Evans, with 51.5% of the vote.

Amesbury has described his politics as "left of centre" and "pragmatic Labour". [2] He supports electoral reform such as proportional representation, and voted to remain in the 2016 EU membership referendum. [8]

From 2017 to 2018, Amesbury was a member of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee. He was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Debbie Abrahams, in January 2018. He was promoted to become Shadow Employment Minister in July 2018.

In 2019, Amesbury apologised 'unreservedly' for having shared an antisemitic caricature on Facebook in 2013. [9] He claimed that he didn't recall sharing the post but was 'mortified' and wouldn't have done so intentionally.

Second term (2019–2024)

At the 2019 general election, he was re-elected to represent Weaver Vale with a reduced majority of 562 votes over the Conservative candidate.

In February 2020, Amesbury introduced a private member's bill to reduce the cost of school uniforms; the bill was passed as the Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act 2021. [10]

He was appointed Shadow Housing and Planning Minister in April 2020, [11] which was reduced to Housing in May 2021. [12] Amesbury became Shadow Local Government Minister in November 2021, but resigned in June 2022 to focus on his constituency work. [13] He served on the Transport Committee from 2022 until 2023, when he rejoined the front bench as Shadow Building Safety and Homelessness Minister in September. [14]

In July 2023, a 56-year-old man was convicted of stalking and harassing Amesbury; the offences took place from June to August 2022, and his sentence included a restraining order. [15] [16]

Third term (2024–present)

Amesbury was elected to represent Runcorn and Helsby at the 2024 general election with a majority of almost 15,000. [17] Weaver Vale had been abolished following boundary changes and replaced by his new constituency. [18]

Following his election, Amesbury returned to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee and joined the Modernisation Committee.

At about 2:15 am on 26 October 2024, Amesbury was filmed in Frodsham confronting a man who was lying on the ground. [19] Amesbury shouted: "You won't threaten the MP ever again, will you?" Cheshire Police stated that an assault had been reported and that no arrests had been made. [20] Prior footage was subsequently released of Amesbury punching the man to the ground, and of his directing more punches as the man lay prone. [21]

Pending an investigation into the incident, the Labour Party administratively suspended Amesbury's party membership and parliamentary whip. [22] [21] Witnesses later said that the man had initially engaged Amesbury in a conversation about a local bridge which would be closed during winter, before the men's interactions became "heated". [19] [23] On 7 November 2024, Amesbury was charged with common assault and summoned to appear in court. [24] [25] [26]

Personal life

Amesbury is married and has a son. [27]

He suffered from depression in the late 2000s, which resulted in behaviour of "self-destruction" and almost ended his marriage. [28]

Amesbury is a supporter of Manchester United F.C. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frodsham</span> Town and civil parish in England

Frodsham is a market town, civil parish, and electoral ward in the unitary authority of Cheshire West and Chester and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. Its population in 2021 was 9,300. It is 16 miles (26 km) south of Liverpool and 28 miles (45 km) southwest of Manchester. The River Weaver runs to its northeast and on the west it overlooks the estuary of the River Mersey. The A56 road and the Chester–Manchester railway line pass through the town, and the M56 motorway passes to the northwest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warrington South (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1983 onwards

Warrington South is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament by Sarah Hall from the Labour and Co-operative Party since 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Lloyd</span> British politician (1950–2024)

Sir Anthony Joseph Lloyd was a British Labour politician. He served as a member of Parliament (MP) for 36 years, making him one of the longest-serving MPs in recent history. He served as MP for Stretford from 1983 to 1997, Manchester Central from 1997 to 2012, and represented Rochdale from 2017 until his death in 2024. He was Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner between 2012 and 2017 and served as the interim Mayor of Greater Manchester in his last two years in the role.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vale Royal</span> Former borough in Cheshire, England

Vale Royal was, from 1974 to 2009, a local government district with borough status in Cheshire, England. It contained the towns of Northwich, Winsford and Frodsham.

Michael Thomas Hall is a British Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Weaver Vale from 1997 to 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddisbury (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1885 to 1950 and 1983 onwards

Eddisbury was a constituency in Cheshire last represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2019 by Edward Timpson, a Conservative who left office at the dissolution of parliament in advance of the 2024 United Kingdom general election, at which this former constituency was replaced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halton (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1983 onwards

Halton was a constituency in Cheshire, represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament from 1997 until 2024 by Derek Twigg of the Labour Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tatton (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1983 onwards

Tatton is a constituency in Cheshire represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2017 by Esther McVey, a Conservative.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weaver Vale (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1997-2024

Weaver Vale was a constituency in Cheshire represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dover and Deal (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1369 onwards

Dover and Deal is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Mike Tapp representing the Labour Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mid Cheshire (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1868–1885 and 2024 onwards

Mid Cheshire is a constituency of the House of Commons in the UK Parliament. It is represented by Andrew Cooper of the Labour Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Runcorn (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1950–1983

Runcorn was a parliamentary constituency centred on the town of Runcorn in Cheshire. It returned one Member of Parliament (MP) to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheshire West and Chester</span> Borough in England

Cheshire West and Chester is a unitary authority area with borough status in Cheshire, England. It was established on 1 April 2009 as part of the 2009 local government changes, by virtue of an order under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. It superseded the boroughs of Ellesmere Port and Neston, Vale Royal and the City of Chester. The remainder of the ceremonial county of Cheshire is composed of Cheshire East, Halton and Warrington. Cheshire West and Chester has three key urban areas: Chester, Ellesmere Port and Northwich/Winsford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graham Evans, Baron Evans of Rainow</span> British politician (born 1963)

Graham Thomas Evans, Baron Evans of Rainow is a British politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Weaver Vale in Cheshire from 2010 until 2017. A member of the Conservative Party, he was appointed to the House of Lords in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Manchester City Council election</span> 2016 local election in England, UK

Elections to Manchester City Council were held on 5 May 2016. One third of the council was up for election, with each successful candidate serving a two-year term of office, expiring in 2018, due to planned boundary changes. The Labour Party retained overall control of the council, managing to hold all but one seat contested and won by former Withington MP, John Leech. Leech's win signified the first gain for any party in Manchester other than Labour for the first time in six years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paula Barker</span> British Labour politician

Paula Barker is a British Labour Party politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Liverpool Wavertree since 2019. She served as the Shadow Minister for Devolution and the English Regions from September 2023 to November 2023.

The ceremonial county of Cheshire, which comprises the unitary authorities of Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton and Warrington, returned 11 MPs to the UK Parliament from 1997 to 2024. Under the 2023 review of Westminster constituencies, coming into effect for the 2024 general election, the boundary commission proposed 12 constituencies, including two which crossed the border into the county of Merseyside.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Runcorn and Helsby (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 2024 onwards

Runcorn and Helsby is a constituency of the House of Commons in the UK Parliament. Further to the completion of the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, it was first contested at the 2024 general election.

References

  1. ↑ "No. 61961". The London Gazette . 19 June 2017. p. 11780.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Interview with Mike Amesbury MP". TalkPolitics. 7 October 2017. Archived from the original on 17 July 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  3. ↑ "Amesbury, Mike" . Who's Who . Vol. 2018 (February 2018 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 14 February 2018.(Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  4. ↑ "Election results – Local elections 2006 | Manchester City Council". www.manchester.gov.uk. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  5. ↑ "Mather & Co scores with National Football Museum contract". Manchester Evening News. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  6. ↑ Amesbury, Mike (7 July 2017). "The Register of Members' Financial Interests". UK Parliament.
  7. ↑ "Election results 2017: Labour gains Weaver Vale, Warrington South and Crewe and Nantwich". BBC News. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  8. ↑ McDougall, John (12 November 2019). "Here's the Labour candidate's policies for Weaver Vale". Chester Chronicle . Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  9. ↑ Sugarman, Daniel (13 March 2019). "Labour Shadow Minister Mike Amesbury apologises for sharing 'antisemitic caricature' – after denying he had". The Jewish Chronicle . Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  10. ↑ Murphy, Scott (30 April 2021). "Northwich MP explains the purpose of his school uniform bill". Northwich Guardian. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  11. ↑ "Mike Amesbury given shadow ministerial role by new Labour leader". Northwich Guardian. 14 April 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  12. ↑ Rodgers, Sienna (14 May 2021). "Reshuffle: Keir Starmer's new Labour frontbench in full". LabourList. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  13. ↑ "Mike Amesbury MP resigns from shadow minister role". BBC News. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  14. ↑ Gayne, Daniel (24 June 2024). "Who's who in Labour's would-be cabinet". Intelligence for Architects. Building Design. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  15. ↑ "MP Mike Amesbury's stalker handed a restraining order". BBC News. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  16. ↑ "Stalker harassed Mike Amesbury MP in shopping centre and Costa Coffee". BBC News. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  17. ↑ "Runcorn and Helsby Results – General Election 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  18. ↑ "UK Parliament election results: Notional election for the constituency of Runcorn and Helsby on 12 December 2019". UK Parliament election results. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  19. 1 2 Kampfner, Constance (28 October 2024). "Man punched by Mike Amesbury in argument about bridge is named" . The Times . Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  20. ↑ Jahangir, Rumeana; Farley, Harry (26 October 2024). "MP row is matter for police, says Phillipson". BBC News. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  21. 1 2 Whannel, Kate; Farley, Harry (27 October 2024). "Labour suspends MP after CCTV appears to show him punching man". BBC News. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  22. ↑ Haslam, Ben; Thorp, Liam (27 October 2024). "Labour suspends Runcorn MP Mike Amesbury over punch video". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  23. ↑ "Starmer: MP Mike Amesbury CCTV footage 'shocking". BBC News. 28 October 2024.
  24. ↑ "MP Mike Amesbury charged with street assault". BBC News. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  25. ↑ Rawlinson, Kevin; Mason, Rowena (7 November 2024). "Suspended Labour MP Mike Amesbury charged with assault". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  26. ↑ "MP Mike Amesbury charged with common assault after incident in Cheshire street". Sky News. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  27. ↑ "Cockapoo named Corbyn tops Westminster dog vote". BBC News. 6 September 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  28. ↑ Amesbury, Mike (21 October 2014). "Manchester councillor: My secret battle with depression". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for for Weaver Vale
2017–2024 		Constituency abolished
New constituency Member of Parliament
for Runcorn and Helsby
2024–present		Incumbent
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.